Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to

declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of

Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which he might have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Member confirmed that she had no personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, nor any prejudicial or discloseable pecuniary interests, to declare in the business on the agenda.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 2 September 2019.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on  2 September 2019 be approved and signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Friday 4 October 2019.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will  be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer in advance of the meeting. Contact details are at the foot of this agenda.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809

It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak at the session under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Cllr Warters, Member for Osbaldwick & Derwent Ward, spoke on Agenda Item 5 (Highway Weed Control).  He raised his concerns regarding the current weed control contract and the poor service performance. He asked for confirmation of any payments made so far to the existing contractor and felt that a fifth option should be considered to bring the weed control function in house.

Cllr K Taylor, Member for  Holgate Ward, spoke on Agenda Item 5 (Highway Weed Control).  He highlighted his concerns within the report, the current contractor and the poor service performance. He felt the weed control function should be brought in house and would welcome a more detailed report with better options that would deliver a more efficient and beneficial service.

One written representation had been received in respect of Agenda item 5 (Highway Weed Control) from Mr Galloway, highlighting his concerns and actions required around poor performance, payments, contract specification, KPI’s, chemicals used and an option to bring the service in house.

This report seeks approval for the council’s Food Service Plan for 2019-2020, in compliance with the requirements of the Food Law Code of Practice.

Resolved: That the food service plan be approved.

Reason:  This will ensure that the Council has a plan to fulfil its obligations under the Food Law Code of Practice.

The Executive Member considered a report that sought approval for the council’s food service plan for 2019-2020, in compliance with the requirements of the Food Law Code of Practice.

The Assistant Director of Planning and Public Protection informed the Executive Member that the council was required to produce an annual food service plan to satisfy the statutory requirements within the Food Law Code of Practice, which was overseen by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The Public Protection Manager stated that the service plan also reviewed last year’s performance and he confirmed that every premises due an intervention in 2018/19 had been inspected, apart from one which was closed, on each occasion it was visited. He highlighted the statistics arising from these interventions, where it was noted that:

·        93% of businesses in York were broadly compliant with food hygiene law.

·        65% of food businesses in York had a food hygiene rating score of 5 out of 5.

·        17 food hygiene prosecutions took place and a number of written warnings were also issued.

Officers answered the Executive Members question regarding food allergies and she thanked them for their report. 

Resolved: That the food service plan be approved.

Reason:  This will ensure that the council has a plan to fulfil its obligations under the Food Law Code of Practice.

This report provides an update on the service performance in relation to highway weed control and outlines options for improvements to that service.

Resolved:

(i)        That all the reviews be undertaken as outlined in the options:

•  Option 1 – Review the following areas of the street cleansing service.

•  Option 2 – Review and amend the contract

•  Option 3 – Use of third party resources

•  Option 4 – Alternatives to Glyphosate

(ii)      That Bishophill and one other area of York be inspected by officers and the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change.

(iii)   That officers be requested to consider the future officer monitoring arrangements of the contract.

Reason: Because this will respond to residents and member concerns.

The Executive Member considered a report that provided an update of the service performance in relation to highway weed control and options for improvements to that service which would need to be developed and costed and considered by Executive and Council as part of the budget setting process.

The Assistant Director of Transport, Highways and Environment gave an update and addressed some of the concerns raised by the registered speakers.  It was noted that:

•        Ward Councillors would be consulted on the list of streets to be treated in their particular wards.

•        The value and the terms of the current contract would be confirmed in writing to the Executive Member and the registered speakers¹.

•        A team had been commissioned to focus on removing detritus which collects in kerb lines, particularly on the offside of traffic islands where sweeping was more difficult and less effective. 

•        The Executive Member could also request that:

•  Officers review the option to bring the weed control service in house;

• The Economy & Place Policy & Scrutiny Committee examine and review this service. 

The Executive Member considered the options and agreed that the four listed in the report would support and develop better proposals for consideration.

Following discussions around the use of glyphosate it was:

Resolved:

(i)      That all the reviews be undertaken as outlined in the options:

·        Option 1 – Review the following areas of the street cleansing service.

·        Option 2 – Review and amend the contract

·        Option 3 – Use of third party resources

·        Option 4 – Alternatives to Glyphosate

(ii)     That Bishophill and one other area of York be inspected by Officers and the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change.

(iii) That Officers be requested to consider the future officer monitoring arrangements of the contract.

Reason: Because this will respond to residents and Member concerns.